Feather Brain
He launched himself at me again, raking his claws down my arm. I grabbed a book and beat him back. When he was on the floor on the far side of the bed, I dashed out the door, slamming it behind me.
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I leaned against it, panting, while he screamed and clawed at the door.
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What had I done?
Lucas has dinosaurs on the brain, but he's a little short on friends. When he gets a new book on how to make model dinosaurs, he's inspired to make one immediately. He's not so inspired by his new dinosaur-making kit: all the box contains is a test tube of clear liquid and a few instructions. But when he mixes the liquid into his papier-maché goop, he gets much more than he bargained for, including the most unlikely friend.
The idea for Feather Brain came from a wonderful book about making dinosaur models. On the cover was a model of a dinosaur that looked as if it was leaping off the page, and I thought, What if it really could leap off the page?
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What if? is my favorite question. It gets me into all sorts of trouble.
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Awards
Selected for the 2008 Best Bets for Children's Fiction list by the Ontario Library Association
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2009 Silver Birch Express Honour Book
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Selected for the 2009 Best Books for Kids and Teens list by the Canadian Children's Book Centre
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Received an Honourable Mention for the 2009 YA Sunburst Award
Nominated for the 2010 Rocky Mountain Book Award
Nominated for the 2010 Hackmatack Children's Choice Award
Nominated for the 2010 Golden Eagle Award
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Nominated for the 2010-2011 Red Cedar Award
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Selected by two Lethbridge elementary schools for their One School, One Book programs in 2009-2010.
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Selected as the June 2014 Book-of-the-Month by the Ontario Library Association (The Reading Rangers Book Club)
Reviews
"This is the perfect book for any dinosaur lover aged 9 to 12 or any reader who loves to indulge in the flights of fancy. This is also a perfect book for any middle grade reader who might be struggling with fitting in and perhaps being bullied."
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Word of Mouse Books Blog
"Feather Brain is a delightful story for all those readers who love dinosaurs."
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The Virtual Bookmark
"There is a sameness to many junior novels, so it is a pleasure to find one with a witty and imaginative plot and a likeable young hero. Such is Feather Brain."
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Deakin Newsletter
"This contemporary fantasy in which a dinosaur wreaks havoc in the life of a friendless fourth-grade boy is written in clear, concise language and will appeal to those just starting to discover chapter books, as well as reluctant readers."
Barnes and Noble
"Author Maureen Bush grabs the reader from the first page and pulls us quickly into a lively adventure."
www.Canadian Teacher Magazine.com
"...a great daily read for the classroom."
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